Betty's Critters - & History Views

 The horses that participate in the Breeders' Cup races each year are at the top of their games; they have to be nominated, and they have to earn points to qualify to enter such high profile races.  The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) became law after being passed by Congress in 2020.  HISA was created to implement, for the first time, a national, uniform set of integrity and safety rules that are applied consistently to every Thoroughbred racing participant and racetrack facility throughout the United States and it's territories. All horses, trainers and staff members that participate in the Breeders' Cup conform with HISA rules.    Rigorous veterinary checks are carried out on each horse that runs in a Breeders' Cup race.  Nine races were run Saturday at Del Mar in California.  Prior to the races, one horse in the Fillies and Mares Sprint was scratched by the trainer; in the Distaff, 3 of the ladies were scratched by the veterinarians; in...

 I did not  post a preview of the Breeders Cup races this year, as my roommate and I are both fighting cancer, and I did not have the time to do my usual research and write my usual two columns.  Having spent this afternoon at the Cancer Center, I have just finished watching films of the Juvenile Breeders Cup races, and will write my usual report.    The Breeders Cup is being run at Del Mar Racetrack in California this year and next year.     The first Breeders Cup race of the day was the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint , run at 5 furlongs (5/8 mile).  All the entries this year were colts, and they all carried 122 pounds; the guaranteed purse was $1 million.  There was a full field of 12 runners; Out On Bail was scratched due to a knee chip, and Pali's Kitten drew in.  Half of the field were bred in the US; 5 were bred in Ireland; and one in Great Britain.    Magnum Force (IRE) won the 5 furlong race in 56.36 seconds....